NWFL Seeks C-River FA Support Ahead Of July Championship In Calabar

CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has called on the Cross River State Football Association (CRSFA) to provide the necessary support and coordination for the successful hosting of the 2026 NWFL Championship, scheduled to hold in Calabar from July 9 to 16.

In a formal notification dated July 2, 2026, and addressed to the Secretary of the Cross River State Football Association, the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the championship would bring together clubs from across the country and requested the association’s cooperation to ensure a smooth and hitch-free organisation of the tournament.

“We wish to formally notify the Cross River State Football Association of the forthcoming 2026 NWFL Championship competition scheduled to take place from 9th–16th July, 2026 in Calabar, Cross River State,” Shabi stated in the letter.

She explained that the championship serves as Nigeria’s second-tier women’s football competition and provides clubs with an opportunity to secure promotion to the elite NWFL Premiership.

According to the letter, “The NWFL Championship is the second-tier competition of the Nigeria Women Football League and serves as the pathway through which clubs earn promotion to the elite NWFL Premiership.

The competition attracts clubs from across the country and provides a platform for nurturing talents and advancing the growth of women’s football in Nigeria.”

The league also appealed to the Cross River State Football Association to ensure all logistics and operational requirements are in place before the commencement of the tournament.

“In view of the above, we respectfully request the support and cooperation of the Cross River State Football Association to ensure that all necessary appurtenances are adequately put in place for the smooth and hitch-free organization of the competition throughout the duration,” the letter added.

Ahead of the championship, the NWFL has also released the draw for the competition, with the 16 participating clubs divided into four groups.

Group A comprises Delta Babes, DreamStar Ladies FC, Rosaria Victrix FC, and First Mahi Babes, while Group B features Pelican Stars, hosts from Cross River, alongside Gallant Queens, Ikukuoma, and Moje Queens.

In Group C, Rangers Women FC will battle Fortress Ladies FC, Wazbak International Sports Academy, and Unification FC, while Group D consists of Imo Striker Queens, Kwara Ladies, Chosen Generation Angels FC, and Ghetto Tigers.

The championship programme released by the NWFL indicates that participating teams will arrive in Calabar on Thursday, July 9, while a pre-match meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 10.

Competitive action will begin on Saturday, July 11, with eight matches to be played across two venues, followed by a rest day on Sunday, July 12.

Another eight matches are scheduled for Monday, July 13, with a further eight fixtures billed for Tuesday, July 14. After another rest day on Wednesday, July 15, the competition will conclude on Thursday, July 16, with four play-off matches expected to determine the clubs that will secure promotion to the NWFL Premiership.

The tournament is expected to attract clubs, officials and supporters from across the country, placing Calabar at the centre of national women’s football activities for eight days.

Beyond determining promotion to the top-flight NWFL Premiership, the championship is expected to provide a platform for emerging talents to showcase their abilities while boosting the development of women’s football in Nigeria.